Calgary sends Rangers Jokinen and Prust in four-player deal

CALGARY, AB –Calgary Flames’ General Manager Darryl Sutter announced today the acquisition of forwards Christopher Higgins and Ales Kotalik from the New York Rangers in exchange for forwards Olli Jokinen and Brandon Prust.

Higgins, a native of Smithtown, NY is playing in his fifth NHL season. Originally drafted by the Montreal Canadiens, 14th overall in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft, Higgins was traded to the New York Rangers on June 30, 2009. During his first three seasons in the NHL, the 6’0”, 205lbs left winger has surpassed the 20 goal mark (23, 22 and 27). In 337 career NHL games, Higgins has notched 165 points from 90 goals and 75 assists.

Kotalik was originally drafted by the Buffalo Sabres in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft. A native of the Czech Republic, Kotalik signed as a free agent with the New York Rangers on July 9th, 2009. In 45 games with the Rangers this season, he has recorded 22 points from 8 goals and 14 assists. He was tied for the team lead in power play assists (12) and ranked second on the team in power play points (16) and game winning goals (3). The 31 year old has surpassed the 20 goal plateau four times over the course of his eight NHL seasons including the 2008-09 season split between Buffalo and Edmonton.